Assisting Non-camp Communities
In July 2013, Mercy Corps conducted an assessment of over 500 urban Syrian refugee households living in the Kurdish Region (KR) of Iraq. The international response to the needs of Kurdish Syrians in Iraq has to date focused largely on those living in camps, and this assessment was developed to inform Mercy Corps, other humanitarian agencies, the Kurdish Regional Government and donors about the specific needs of those living outside the camp environment. Shortly after the assessment period, the number of Syrian refugees in the KR increased dramatically, following an influx of around 50,000 refugees in August 2013. Following this influx, there has been an increased focus on supporting refugees in newly formed camps. However, a significant percentage of the refugee population (an estimated 60%) continues to reside in urban environments, particularly in Erbil, Sulaimaniya and Dohuk.